Sunday, 29 September 2013

TLFG: 30 September - 6 October 2013

Hello there and welcome once again to TLFG. If you're new, great to have you here and if you've come back for more, thanks for sticking with me.

Not a huge amount happened in my football watching week - just pleased that QPR have kept up the momentum at the top of the Championship with their win over Middlesbrough. Sadly I was working so couldn't go. I doubt I'll be able to see them now until the end of November when Charlton visit such is my schedule.

Anyway, I'm pretty much out of time and don't have much to share this week. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. You might also want to have a go at writing a 'Top Ten' one week. I also very much welcome photos of your football travels. Get involved!

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.


LATEST TICKET NEWS
Each week at TLFG we attempt to compile a list of what's on general sale to non-members at London's Premier League clubs and for other notable matches (click on the team name for details).

Friday 11 October, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, 8pm - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley

ARSENAL
Monday 7 October, 7pm - Wolverhampton Wanderers, U21 Premier League

CHELSEA
Sunday 6 October, 11am - Manchester City, U21 Premier League (must buy in advance)

CRYSTAL PALACE
Nothing currently available

FULHAM
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Sunday 10 November, 12pm - Newcastle United, Premier League

WEST HAM UNITED
Saturday 19 October, 530pm - Manchester City, Premier League
Saturday 2 November, 3pm - Aston Villa, Premier League (on sale 24 Sep)
Saturday 23 November, 530pm - Chelsea, Premier League
Thursday 26 December, 3pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 22 March, 3pm - Manchester United, Premier League
Saturday 5 April, 3pm - Liverpool, Premier League
Saturday 3 May, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League


TICKET DEALS
The best value this week is to be found in the U19 Champions League and U21 Premier League.

With the seniors playing Napoli on Tuesday, Arsenal's U19's take on their Italian counterparts at Boreham Wood's ground the day after and it's FREE to get in.

If you're an early riser, you might fancy a Sunday morning trip to Stamford Bridge to watch Chelsea play Manchester City in the U21 Premier League. The match kicks-off at 1105am but tickets must be bought by Friday afternoon at the latest - NONE WILL BE ON SALE ON THE DAY.

In about two weeks time, Fulham's Craven Cottage ground will play host to an international friendly between Australia and Canada with tickets ranging from £15-25.

At the end of October, League One side Brentford are running another one of their 'Pay What You Can' promotions for the visit of Shrewsbury Town. Tickets are on sale now, with a minimum price of £1.

If you know of any other deals I may have missed or your club is running a promotion let me know.

There are 80 matches in the London area this week including a few ties in the FA Cup, FA Trophy and a few county cups too. If women's football is your thing, we've also got the FAWSL Continental Cup final between Arsenal and Lincoln Ladies on Friday night.

As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures


View London match map 30 September - 6 October 2013 in a larger map


Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. Add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

ARSENAL v NAPOLI
Never mind London, this looks like being one of the best matches of the week in Europe. It pits the current leaders in England against the team currently ranked number two in Italy. Interestingly, despite being second in their league, Napoli have actually had a better season than the Gunners so far having remained unbeaten in their first six games, accruing 16 points in the process. Rafa Benitez's side also began their Champions League campaign with a notable 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, last year's beaten finalists. Many have said Arsenal are only top because they've had relativley 'easy' fixtures thus far - win this and they'll be taken a lot more seriously. (Champions League, Tuesday 1 October, 745pm. Ticket info)

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v WEST HAM UNITED
Back in the Premier League we've got this mouthwatering derby. This weekend Spurs had to negotiate a tricky match against west London rivals Chelsea, this time the challenge comes from the east. The Hammers aren't quite the same calibre as the Blues but will still try and make life hard for Tottenham. Nevertheless, the smart money is still very much on AVB's boys to win as they're in the top three while West Ham are just outside the bottom three. The side from Upton Park also haven't won at White Hart Lane since 1999, a winless streak of 12 games. (Premier League, Sunday 6 October, 4pm. Ticket info)

QUEENS PARK RANGERS v BARNSLEY
It's top versus bottom in the Championship at Loftus Road on Saturday. It's therefore unlikely to be a classic but it's a good chance to see just how good Harry Redknapp's newlook team are - they received rave reviews after beating Middlesbrough on Saturday. It could also be a good opportunity to see a great upset and the end of QPR's unbeaten record. The omens, however, don't look good - QPR are on fire whilst Barnsley have managed one win all season. Rangers also have a fantastic home record against the Yorkshire club with the last defeat coming way back in 1950! Knowing QPR, it's a certain three points for the Tykes. (Championship, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

BRENTFORD v ROTHERHAM UNITED
After beginning the week with defeat to Leyton Orient in the derby, the Bees ended it well with a 2-0 win at Coventry City. The result left them in tenth just a point behind Rotherham who visit Griffin Park on Saturday. A win could well catapult either of them into the play-off places so it should be keenly contested. The Millers would already be there but they lost their unbeaten record on Saturday to high flying Peterborough. Can Brentford inflict their second defeat on the trot? Be there and find out. (League One, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

WELLING UNITED v BARNET
When the fixtures were released back in the summer, this must have been one that fans of newly promoted Welling were looking for. Aside from near neighbours Dartford, the Bees are the only other London club in the Conference Premier so this is a big game for all concerned. They're also pretty evenly matched with only a point separating them in the table. Aside from their loss at Macclesfield yesterday, the Wings' form is better than Barnet's but it's still hard to see past a draw. (Conference Premier, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

SUTTON UNITED v EASTBOURNE BOROUGH
There's been some decent match-ups in the Conference South recently and this one is no exception. Both teams are in the top six at the time of writing and should be among the play-off contenders by the end of the season. Again, only a point separates them with Sutton narrowly ahead but only because they've played a game more. Like Welling above, Sutton's overall form and home advantage should see them start as favourites. It is also worth noting that the hosts are holding a Community Day so there should be lots going on for kids before the match, details on the club's website. (Conference South, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

DULWICH HAMLET v LEWES
Having both made good progress in the FA Cup on Saturday, these two return to league duty this weekend. Both have made very solid starts to their Isthmian League campaigns with Dulwich currently fifth and Lewes sixth. In fact, if Hamlet beat Bury Town on Tuesday they will be top when this kicks off. Although the Rooks may not be top of the pile themselves, they will be very tough to overcome having gone unbeaten in their opening 11 league games. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

WEALDSTONE v MARGATE
The only other unbeaten record in the division is held by Wealdstone who also comfortably made it through to the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Margate weren't so lucky, going out at home to Dulwich. The Kent side will therefore be keen to get their season back on track and a win here would be some achievement. However, the hosts buoyed on by a large and partisan crowd should be too much for them (Isthmian League Premier Division, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

NORTHWOOD v AFC HAYES
The 'Road to Wembley' gets underway in the FA Trophy this weekend with sides in Step 4/Level 8 kicking things off. One of the ties of the round is this derby between two Southern League Division 1 Central clubs. Hayes have enjoyed a better start to the season but when the clubs met in a league match earlier this month it was Northwood who came out on top by 2-1. This game could well go either way. (FA Trophy, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Ticket info)

WALTON CASUALS v CRAWLEY DOWN GATWICK
Also in the Trophy we have this potential cracker between the two best clubs in the Isthmian League Division 1 South. Walton are currently five points clear at the top but CDG have a game in hand. Walton did have a bit of a wobble on Saturday too, losing 1-0 at home to Hastings United who are also among the chasing pack. Although Crawley managed to win at Corinthian Casuals, their five-game form is a bit iffy with three games ending in defeat. Although a cup tie, this match could be significant in how the ILD1S pans out. (FA Trophy, Saturday 5 October, 3pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or email.

Sunday, 22 September 2013

TLFG: 23-29 September 2013

Hi there and welcome along to the latest edition of TLFG.

As is becoming increasingly the case, my time to write seems to be becoming shorter each week so I'm going to keep this bit brief (hooray I hear you say).

After my trip to QPR v Birmingham on Saturday, I managed to squeeze in another visit to the Theatre of Shattered Dreams (aka Loftus Road) on Wednesday to see the almost derby game against Brighton.

Most newspapers described this 0-0 draw as being quite dull for the neutral but I enjoyed it nonetheless!

Yesterday Rangers got back to winning ways at Yeovil to go three points clear at the top of the Championship. After failing to see them win all last season, I'm already feeling drunk on all the points we've accrued already. Long may it continue.

Brighton's former Man Utd goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak organises his defence at Loftus Road
Aside from this, my highlight of the last seven days was suggesting to some of TLFG's Dutch readers, who were in London on a football-watching trip, to go and pay a visit to Isthmian Premier club Dulwich Hamlet on Saturday.

I received the following feedback this morning: "It was amazing!!! Met up with some fans and had the best day!!! What a great club!!! Thanx!"

I aim to please so if you want a similar recommendation or have any other questions about watching football in London please don't hesitate to ask.

Anyway, that's enough about my week. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.


LATEST TICKET NEWS
Each week at TLFG we attempt to compile a list of what's on general sale to non-members at London's Premier League clubs and for other notable matches (click on the team name for details).

Friday 11 October, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, 8pm - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley

ARSENAL
Nothing currently available

CHELSEA
Sunday 6 October, 11am - Manchester City, U21 Premier League (must buy in advance)

CRYSTAL PALACE
Nothing currently available

FULHAM
Tuesday 24 September, 8pm - Everton, League Cup 
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Sunday 10 November, 12pm - Newcastle United, Premier League

WEST HAM UNITED
Tuesday 24 September, 745pm, Cardiff City, League Cup
Saturday 19 October, 530pm - Manchester City, Premier League
Saturday 2 November, 3pm - Aston Villa, Premier League (on sale 24 Sep)
Saturday 23 November, 530pm - Chelsea, Premier League
Thursday 26 December, 3pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 22 March, 3pm - Manchester United, Premier League
Saturday 5 April, 3pm - Liverpool, Premier League
Saturday 3 May, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League


TICKET DEALS
The best value this week is to be found in the next round of the League Cup.

Once again West Ham have the best deal in place as they welcome fellow Premier League side Cardiff City. It's £15 in advance and £20 on the day.

Over at Craven Cottage we have another all Premier League tie between Fulham and Everton and there's a flat rate of £20.

Lastly, Watford entertain Norwich City with tickets ranging from £15-£20.

In about three weeks time, Fulham's Craven Cottage ground will play host to an international friendly between Australia and Canada with tickets ranging from £15-25.

At the end of October, League One side Brentford are running another one of their 'Pay What You Can' promotions for the visit of Shrewsbury Town. Tickets are on sale now, with a minimum price of £1.

If you know of any other deals I may have missed or your club is running a promotion let me know.

There are over 80 matches in the London area this week including ties in the next round of the FA Cup in addition to all the usual league matches.

As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures


View London match map 23-29 September 2013 in a larger map


Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. Add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v CHELSEA
Without doubt, the biggest match of the week in London takes place at White Hart Lane on Saturday lunchtime. These two giants of London football have cultivated a pretty tasty rivalry over the last few years with many Blues fans regarding Spurs as their most disliked rival. Arsenal are still the number one pet hate for Tottenham supporters, but Chelsea come a close second for a lot of them. With both sides currently in the Premier League's top four and with top spot potentially up for grabs the atmosphere should be intense. (Premier League, Saturday 28 September, 1245pm. Ticket info)

MILLWALL v LEEDS UNITED
If a highly charged atmosphere is what you're after and you can't or don't want a ticket for the above, then why not give this Championship game a try? Neither side have made a great start to the season but that won't really matter as two clubs with some of the 'liveliest' sets of fans in the country clash at the Den. As above, both sides probably have more hated rivals but they don't really get on that well. With Leeds losing their last two and Millwall winning theirs, it could well be a home win. (Championship, Saturday 28 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

BRENTFORD v LEYTON ORIENT
There's another London derby on Monday night with west playing east. There's no great animosity between these two but there's plenty to play for in this League One fixture. The Bees missed out on promotion to the Championship last season after losing in the play-offs and were then rightfully installed as one of the favourites to go up this time. They've made a satisfactory start and a win here will put them in the top six. A victory, though, could be rather tough to get as the O's are the most in-form team in the Football League having won their opening seven matches and are unsurprisingly two points clear at the top. Head down to Griffin Park on Monday to see if they can keep their sensational run going.  (League One, Monday 23 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

BARNET v SALISBURY CITY
Edgar Davids' side got their Conference Premier campaign off to an impressive start but have run into a rough patch of late, going four league games without a win. As a result they've slipped out of the leading pack and down to eighth. Salisbury have done pretty much the reverse, starting really badly but now stringing the wins together. Having won five of their last seven, City leapfrogged Barnet into the play-off places on Saturday and with form like that you'd have to fancy them here. (Conference Premier, Saturday 28 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

WEALDSTONE v LEWES
After a stuttering start to the season, Wealdstone finally got themselves to the summit of the Isthmian League table on Saturday after a tidy 2-0 win over struggling Thamesmead. They were helped to get there by local rivals Harrow Borough who pulled off a minor miracle to come back from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 at then leaders Maidstone. The Stones currently have the lead only on goal difference and if they want to put a bit of headway between themselves and Kingstonian then they'll need a good result here. Last season Lewes had a dreadful time and came close to a relegation which few had foreseen. This time things couldn't be much more different. After 10 games only Wealdstone and themselves are unbeaten. An extra draw for Lewes means they're two points behind, a gap which puts them sixth in what has turned out to be a very competitive division.  (Isthmian League Premier Division, Monday 23 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

VCD ATHLETIC v MALDON & TIPTREE
The game of the weekend in the Isthmian League Division 1 North sees the current leaders host the team in third. VCD have an even better record than Leyton Orient having won their first nine league matches this season. That run did, however, come to an end on Saturday when they drew 0-0 at Needham Market. M&T on the other hand haven't started too badly either with only one defeat in their opening nine so this should be quite a contest. (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Saturday 28 September, 3pm. Club info)

ENFIELD 1893 v GREAT WAKERING ROVERS
There's a table-topping game in the Essex Senior League too. This time the leaders are the visitors but only by virtue of playing a game more than Enfield. Both sides have won all their games this season (five and six respectively) and are averaging close to three goals a game each. Looks like a game with potential. (Essex Senior League, Saturday 28 September, 3pm. Club info)

HENDON v BISHOP'S STORTFORD
It's FA Cup second qualifying round weekend and because of their groundshare with Harrow, the Greens will play this tie on Sunday afternoon. Isthmian Premier club Hendon will start as underdogs as they play a level below Stortford who ply their trade in the Conference South. The visitors have also made a decent start to their season while Hendon have been somewhat more inconsistent. There is good cupset potential here though and it should be noted that Gary McCann's side made it to the first round proper last season before narrowly losing to then League Two side Aldershot Town. (FA Cup, Sunday 29 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

GRAYS ATHLETIC v TILBURY
Although nowhere near as big or bitter as some of the rivalries highlighted above, there is some 'history' between these two Essex clubs and their fans. Back in 2011 a derby match between the two ended in what a local paper described as a '100 person brawl' which is astonishing and almost unheard of for a game at this level. The scenes of that day are unlikely to be repeated here but there's bound to be plenty of passion on show with a place in the next round of the FA Cup up for grabs. (FA Cup, Sunday 29 September, 130pm. Ticket info)

WHYTELEAFE v CHATHAM TOWN
The cup exploits of Southern Counties East League side Whyteleafe make the top 10 again this week. On Saturday they knocked Epsom & Ewell out of the FA Vase to complete a cup double over them having seen them off in the FA Cup too. This Saturday they're back in FA Cup action and welcome Isthmian League Division 1 North outfit Chatham who play a level above them in the national system. The Kent club haven't started too well this season and could be there for the taking.  (FA Cup, Saturday 28 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or email.

Sunday, 15 September 2013

TLFG: 16-22 September 2013

Hi there and welcome to TLFG.

I was lucky enough to squeeze another game into my schedule this week, taking in QPR's win over Birmingham City at Loftus Road.

It was Rangers' fourth consecutive victory, all of which have been by a 1-0 margin. City fought hard and will have been disappointed to have gone home with nothing having hit the post, missed an open goal, had another ruled out and a penalty appeal turned down.

The downside was a smoke bomb thrown by their fans on to the pitch which saw play suspended for several minutes during the second half.

Next up for me is QPR's game against Brighton on Wednesday night which is usually one of our biggest of the season. Although the Seagulls are not a London club, they're not far from the capital so this always has the feel of a derby to it. There are a few tickets left so I suggest you check it out if you've got nothing better to do.

Anyway, that's enough about my week. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. Also keep the general correspondence coming, I enjoy answering your questions and offering advice if I can.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.


LATEST TICKET NEWS
Each week at TLFG we attempt to compile a list of what's on general sale to non-members at London's Premier League clubs and for other notable matches (click on the team name for details).

Friday 11 October, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, 8pm - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley

ARSENAL
Nothing currently available

CHELSEA
Wednesday 18 September, 745pm - FC Basel, Champions League
Sunday 6 October, 11am - Manchester City, U21 Premier League (must buy in advance)

CRYSTAL PALACE
Nothing currently available

FULHAM
Tuesday 24 September, 8pm - Everton, League Cup (on sale 10 Sep)
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Thursday 19 September, 805pm - Tromso, Europa League (on sale 9 Sep)
Sunday 27 October, 4pm - Hull City, Premier League (on sale 12 Sep)

WEST HAM UNITED
Saturday 21 September, 3pm - Everton, Premier League
Tuesday 24 September, 745pm, Cardiff City, League Cup (on sale 10 Sep)
Saturday 19 October, 530pm - Manchester City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 530pm - Chelsea, Premier League
Thursday 26 December, 3pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 22 March, 3pm - Manchester United, Premier League
Saturday 5 April, 3pm - Liverpool, Premier League
Saturday 3 May, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League


TICKET DEALS
The discount tickets this week can be found in the European competitions with Chelsea charging a flat rate of £35 for their Champions League group game against FC Basel while it's £25-£30 to watch Spurs host Tromso in the Europa League.

Looking ahead to next week, there's more good value to be found in the next round of the League Cup.

Once again West Ham have the best deal in place as they welcome fellow Premier League side Cardiff City. It's £15 in advance and £20 on the day.

Over at Craven Cottage we have another all Premier League tie between Fulham and Everton and there's a flat rate of £20.

Lastly, Watford entertain Norwich City with tickets ranging from £15-£20.

If you know of any other deals I may have missed or your club is running a promotion let me know.

There are over 80 matches in the London area this week including matches in the FA Cup and FA Vase in addition to all the usual league matches.

As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

MATCH MAP
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures


View London match map 16-22 September 2013 in a larger map


Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. Add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

ARSENAL v STOKE CITY
After the first match of the season, the Gunners were described by all and sundry as a club in crisis following their 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa. Four weeks on and things couldn't be more different thanks to three straight wins which have put them top of the Premier League (at the time of writing). With Mesut Ozil enjoying an impressive debut at Sunderland on Saturday they are looking like a far more effective outfit. Stoke had a disappointing season last time but have started well under new boss Mark Hughes. This weekend they held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw and have only lost once so far. The Potters often make life difficult for the Gunners on their own turf but they haven't won at Arsenal since 1981. (Premier League, Sunday 22 September, 130pm. Ticket info)

CHELSEA v FULHAM
With QPR having slipped into the Championship, this is now the only west London derby in the Premier League. If you're new to watching football in London and don't know the geography then I should point out that these two are the closest of any professional London clubs with their grounds around mile apart. The Blues are and always have been the biggest club in the area with the Cottagers only emerging as a challenger at the turn of this century when the joined the Premier League after years in the lower divisions. Fulham rarely win these games but they do get a lot of draws. (Premier League, Saturday 21 September, 530pm. Ticket info)

CHARLTON ATHLETIC v MILLWALL
It's derby time in south-east London on Saturday too as these two Championship rivals meet for the first time this season. Both sides have made disappointing starts to their campaigns but form will go out the window in the battle for bragging rights. Tickets for this will be tough to get hold of without membership as security is tight to avoid crowd trouble. Matches between the two in recent years have been relatively rare as the clubs have gone up and down the divisions and consequently the Addicks haven't managed a win against the Lions since 1996. This could be their best chance for some while. (Championship, Saturday 21 September, 1245pm. Ticket info)

QUEENS PARK RANGERS v BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
One of the longest match-ups in terms of characters, this Championship game is usually a big occasion for the respective clubs. As mentioned above, this always feels to me like a derby as Brighton's geographically closest rivals are all based in the capital. Rangers have adapted really well to life back in this division, have yet to lose and are joint top with Blackpool. The Seagulls were among the promotion contenders again this season but their results have been a bit inconsistent so far with two wins, two draws and two defeats. Although QPR should start as favourites, this could go either way. (Championship, Wednesday 18 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

AFC WIMBLEDON v BURTON ALBION
After spending most of their first two seasons in the Football League at the wrong end of it, the Dons have made a great start this time round. After seven games they sit seventh, which if the season ended now would see them in the play-offs. They would be even higher up the table but lost to leaders Chesterfield 2-0 this weekend. On Saturday Burton Albion come to town knowing that a win will see them leapfrog Wimbledon to get among the leading pack. They have, however, lost their last two and have never won at Kingsmeadow. (League Two, Saturday 21 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

BROMLEY v BASINGSTOKE TOWN
After comfortably seeing off Staines in one of the featured matches of last week, Bromley are still sitting snugly in second in the Conference South table just a point behind Eastleigh. On Saturday they face a tricky Basingstoke side who are up in the play-off places themselves. It will almost certainly be tight but I'm tipping the Lillywhites to win it even though the Hampshire side have come out on top in their last three visits. (Conference South, Saturday 21 September, 3pm. Club info)

NORTH GREENFORD UNITED v HARROW BOROUGH
On Tuesday we've got a local derby to look forward to in the FA Cup. By all accounts North Greenford should have recorded a cup upset on Saturday as they outplayed their higher ranked opponents despite having 10 men for most of the second half. Harrow almost lucked their way through with a late goal which put them 2-1 up much against the run of play only for the visitors to grab an equaliser deep into injury time. The vibe going into this match seems to suggest Boro will start as underdogs and given their current form it's hard to disagree. (FA Cup, Tuesday 17 September, 745pm. Club info)

THURROCK v VCD ATHLETIC
Isthmian League Division 1 North side Thurrock enjoyed a notable win over higher ranked Bury Town in the FA Cup on Saturday. A morale boosting win like this is just what they need ahead of a fixture against one of the hottest teams in the country right now. VCD got promoted from the Kent League last season and have slain all before them at the start of this Isthmian League campaign. Having won their opening eight league games, they are already four points clear and will head to Ship Lane as favourites.  (Isthmian League Division 1 North, Tuesday 17 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX) v KETTERING TOWN
I've gone for this match as it's your chance to see famous old non-league club Kettering perhaps before they go out of business. With debts mounting, a campaign is currently under way to save the club so get along to Short Lane and see how they do. Even though the Poppies are a much bigger club than Ashford, they're having pretty similar seasons so far and are both at the wrong end of the Southern League so it should be competitive. (Southern League Division 1 Central, Saturday 21 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

EPSOM & EWELL v WHYTELEAFE
These two enjoyed a bit of a ding-dong battle in the FA Cup recently with 13 goals being scored in the original tie and replay. Whyteleafe eventually came out on top by a surprising 6-1 margin. That reverse had been the only blip for E&E all season until Saturday when they suffered another upset in the Combined Counties League against Chessington & Hook United. The Leafe are still up among the leaders in the Southern Counties East League so this FA Vase tie has the potential to be another cracker. (FA Vase, Saturday 21 September, 3pm. Club info)

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or email.

Sunday, 8 September 2013

TLFG: 9-15 September 2013

Hello there good people, hope you're having a good one and welcome to TLFG.

Well it's all over for another year - yes, Non-League Day 2013 came and went and made quite an impact if I do say so myself.

Hours and hours of preparation and pounds and pounds of expense led to great media coverage and ultimately thousands of extra fans turned out to watch games around the country.

This was of course the goal so I think we can say it was a success.

As a user of social media, one of my highlights of the day was getting #nonleagueday to trend on Twitter - in fact it became the fifth most popular trend in the UK for the whole day!


Personally I spent the day at Harrow Borough, a side I've followed for 25 years. I moved close to the ground as a teenager and soon started going along with QPR then out of my price range.

I travelled home and away for about five years before moving away to university. These days I tend to only go once or twice a season but always look out for their results as I try to keep a link.

Ahead of yesterday's game against Dulwich Hamlet, I'd contacted the club to see what kind of attendance they would class as a success given that they were running some special offers for Non-League Day.

I was told 250 was the target and 300+ would be great.

Yesterday I managed to rustle up a group of eight, only one of whom had been to a non-league match before.

Thankfully a very healthy crowd of 313 turned up and there was a great sigh of relief on my part.

The Dulwich fans are a great bunch - lots of colour, lots of noise and good numbers, they contributed a lot to the atmosphere.

Their side scored an early goal and looked like cruising to an easy win but they couldn't get a second and Harrow equalised before the break. The second half was pretty action packed and could've gone either way but a big deflection put Borough ahead before they wrapped up the win with a third in injury time.

My companions were generally impressed with their experience and the standard of football and gave me the impression they would happily go again - we'll see.

The best moment of the whole day for me was watching my friend's son and his friend (about 10 years old) on the edge of their seats, jumping up and down totally captivated by the action as if they had been fans for years. It is a cliche but winning over youngsters like this is absolutely key for non-league clubs as they love football and are the least likely to be able to afford to watch games at professional clubs.

Anyway, that's enough about my week. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. Also keep the general correspondence coming, I enjoy answering your questions and offering advice if I can.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.


LATEST TICKET NEWS
Each week at TLFG we attempt to compile a list of what's on general sale to non-members at London's Premier League clubs and for other notable matches (click on the team name for details).

Friday 11 October, 8pm - Montenegro, World Cup qualifier, Wembley
Tuesday 15 October, TBC - Poland, World Cup qualifier, Wembley

ARSENAL
Thursday 12 September, 7pm - West Bromwich Albion, U21 Premier League

CHELSEA
Wednesday 18 September, 745pm - FC Basel, Champions League
Sunday 6 October, 11am - Manchester City, U21 Premier League (must buy in advance)

CRYSTAL PALACE
Tuesday 10 September, 745pm - Oman, friendly

FULHAM
Saturday 14 September, 3pm - West Bromwich Albion, Premier League
Tuesday 24 September, 8pm - Everton, League Cup (on sale 10 Sep)
Saturday 5 October, 3pm - Stoke City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 3pm - Swansea City, Premier League

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Saturday 14 September, 3pm - Norwich City, Premier League
Thursday 19 September, 805pm - Tromso, Europa League (on sale 9 Sep)
Sunday 27 October, 4pm - Hull City, Premier League (on sale 12 Sep)

WEST HAM UNITED
Saturday 21 September, 3pm - Everton, Premier League
Tuesday 24 September, 745pm, Cardiff City, League Cup (on sale 10 Sep)
Saturday 19 October, 530pm - Manchester City, Premier League
Saturday 23 November, 530pm - Chelsea, Premier League
Thursday 26 December, 3pm - Arsenal, Premier League
Saturday 22 March, 3pm - Manchester United, Premier League
Saturday 5 April, 3pm - Liverpool, Premier League
Saturday 3 May, 3pm - Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League


TICKET DEALS
This week the best prices are to be found at clubs who are playing in the U21 Premier League.

Probably the most high profile is Arsenal's match against West Bromwich Albion which is being held at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night. Tickets for this are only £4 adults and £2 everyone else. It's not often you can see a game at a great venue like this for such a price.

Over at the Boleyn Ground on Friday, it's West Ham United v Manchester City. They haven't published the ticket details yet but it's usually around £3 if my memory serves me correctly.

Finally, Chelsea are also in action against Norwich City. Although it will be cheap again, they are using Brentford's ground for this game so don't go to Stamford Bridge.

Elsewhere Crystal Palace are using the international break to host a rather quirky friendly against Oman on Tuesday. Tickets are £10 in advance but go up to £12 on the day.

Looking ahead a couple of weeks, there's more good value to be found in the next round of the League Cup.

Once again West Ham have the best deal in place as they welcome fellow Premier League side Cardiff City. It's £15 in advance and £20 on the day.

Over at Craven Cottage we have another all Premier League tie between Fulham and Everton and there's a flat rate of £20.

Lastly, Watford entertain Norwich City with tickets ranging from £15-£20.

Up at White Hart Lane next week, Tottenham Hotspur welcome Norwegian side Tromso in the Europa League. Tickets for this are £25 and £30 and go on general sale tomorrow (Monday) morning.

Coming back to this week, in non-league football, Southern Counties East League side Fisher have extended their Non-League Day deals to Monday night's game against Cray Valley PM. This means if you're a season-ticket holder or member of a Premier League or Football League club or a member of any supporters' trust you'll get in for £3.50.

If you know of any other deals I may have missed or your club is running a promotion let me know.

There are over 80 matches in the London area this week so there's no excuse not to see a game, unless you've got a really good one.

As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.

Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures
Red pin - Sunday fixtures


View London match map 9-15 September 2013 in a larger map

Next up is this week's TLFG match recommendations where I list a few games which I think could be worth a watch. Add your own in the comments section below.

TLFG TOP 10

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v NORWICH CITY
Top of the bill this week is this game at White Hart Lane. It's still very early in the season but these two have made reasonable starts. Spurs are up in sixth but must still be smarting after losing the derby match against Arsenal last time out. The Canaries aren't far behind in ninth with one win, one draw and one defeat. When you dig back into the form guide it's also interesting to note that the two have played each other five tiimes over the last two seasons and Norwich are unbeaten in the last four, having won twice. Bogey team for Tottenham? (Premier League, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

WATFORD v CHARLTON ATHLETIC
A bit further west we have this derby. The Hornets came flying out of the blocks and two impressive early wins put them top of the Championship. Since then, Gianfranco Zola's side seem to have run out of steam with two draws and a defeat seeing them slip to seventh. The Addicks on the other hand seem to be going in the other direction. After a very sluggish start, they got their first win last time out, inflicting a first defeat of the season on a very decent Leicester side. Historically, matches between these two are usually close. The last time they met in January, Charlton won 4-3 so I'm hoping for more of the same. (Championship, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

LEYTON ORIENT v PORT VALE
The hottest side in all of England right now are the mighty O's of Leyton. If Watford came flying out of the blocks then these guys have been blasted from a canon and are still yet to reach maximum velocity! With five wins out of five, it's no surprise they are sitting proudly at the summit of League One. They'll probably fancy their chances in this one too as newly promoted Vale have made a rather indifferent start. A narrow win in their last match against a fairly hapless Carlisle side shouldn't have the Londoners quaking in their boots. (League One, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

BARNET v LINCOLN CITY
Nothing's really taking my fancy in League Two this week but this match in the Conference Premier has a lot going for it. Edgar Davids' third-placed Bees take on the fourth-placed Imps knowing a win could potentially put them top. Both sides ran into the buffers on Non-League Day with defeats to FC Halifax Town and Salisbury City respectively. The previous meeting between the two at Underhill in February 2011 ended in a 4-2 win for Barnet. (Conference Premier, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

BROMLEY v STAINES TOWN
After a disappointing season last time, Bromley have made a fine start to this campaign. Four wins from their first six have put them among the leaders and they would be top if they hadn't lost to Eastleigh on Saturday. Marcus Gayle's Swans came even closer to the drop than their hosts last time but have also shown improvement this term with three wins putting them tenth. In recent years these matches invariably end in a draw but the Ravens of Hayes Lane may just have the edge this time. (Conference South, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

AFC HORNCHURCH v WEALDSTONE
The match of the week in the Isthmian League pits the Urchins of Essex against the Stones of Middlesex. At the time of writing it's third versus second. Last season Hornchurch competed in the Conference South but found it tough going and got relegated. It was a season which ended in disappointment for Wealdstone too as they lost in the Isthmian Premier play-offs for the second season running. They started this season with a disappointing string of three draws but have won the next five to move within a point of current top dogs Kingstonian. After losing their season opener against Lewes, Hornchurch have gone on a seven-match unbeaten run to get right in among the leaders. Looks pretty tasty. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Tuesday 10 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

HARROW BOROUGH v HENDON
Brought forward to Monday so as not to clash with England's televised World Cup qualifier in Ukraine, this derby should be competitive. There's no particular animosity between these sides but there's an extra dimension this year as Hendon have become tenants at Harrow, moving from Wembley FC over the summer. Both sides have made lacklustre starts and have identical records so far in terms of wins, draws and defeats. However, fantastic wins over well fancied opponents on Non-League Day will see them both come into this in good spirits. (Isthmian League Premier Division, Monday 9 September, 745pm. Ticket info)

GRAYS ATHLETIC v ROMFORD
This weekend also sees plenty of action in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup. First up we've got this Essex derby. The strange thing about this game is that neither club have their own ground and the ones they do use are just over a mile apart. You also feel they should swap grounds as they're closer to their traditional homes (i.e. Romford's Thurrock home is closer to Grays than Romford and the opposite is true of Grays' home at Aveley). Grays won the Isthmian League Division 1 North last season and have a made a strong start to life in the Premier Division. Romford still play in the ILD1 and always seem to drift along in midtable with the same true this season. Cup ties at this stage can and often do go against the form guide so this is anyone's. (FA Cup, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Ticket info)

COCKFOSTERS v AFC RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS
Cockfosters, probably most famous for being the northern terminus of the London Underground's Piccadilly Line, gained promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division last season. They've found the going a little tougher this season and it's not likely to get much easier when they welcome AFC Rushden & Diamonds for this FA Cup tie. If their name is familiar but not immediately obvious to you it's because they are the reincarnation of a club that rose as high as what is now League One before financial problems saw their demise in 2011. The reformed side now compete in the United Counties League at a parallel level to Cockfosters but should start as favourites and bring a good following. (FA Cup, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Club info)

WEMBLEY v HARINGEY BOROUGH
Lastly this week I've gone for this FA Cup tie purely because it's Wembley. It's quite fun to go and see them in action just down the road from the more famous stadium which you can see clearly from the pitch at Vale Farm. They are, however, having a shocking season thus far and will definitely start as second favourites in this one. (FA Cup, Saturday 14 September, 3pm. Club info)


If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or email.

Sunday, 1 September 2013

TLFG: 2-8 September 2013

Hello there and welcome to this special edition of TLFG.

After 11 months of preparation we're almost there - Saturday is Non-League Day 2013.

When I tentatively set up the event back in the summer of 2010 as a bit of fun on Facebook, I never dreamed I'd be here getting ready for a fourth edition.

The 'chatter' on the interweb is certainly starting to hot up with lots of clubs coming out of the woodwork at the last moment with some great deals to tempt new fans through the gates.

If you didn't know, Non-League Day (NLD) always takes place on an international weekend when there's a break in the Premier League and Championship fixtures. This means there's a good chance to elevate the semi-professional and grassroots game into the limelight.


It's just days away!

There are League One and Two games on as well but in London there is only one at Dagenham & Redbridge so the clash is minimal.

Unsurprisingly, I'm going to devote the rest of this week's offering entirely to NLD and some of the offers and events that are taking place. There are a few matches happening before Saturday in various cups and leagues and they're all on the match map as usual but I won't be highlighting them.

Don't forget, we (at NLD) still want to receive fan photos so if you're going to a game, heading off on holiday or just relaxing at home we'd love to get a picture of you in either one of our t-shirts or holding up one of these.

There's still plenty to do over the final few days but ultimately it's all about gaining publicity so make sure you tell your friends or if you've got your own website or blog and would like to support us by displaying one of our banners then I'd really appreciate it.

Anyway, that's enough about me. Remember to let me know what you've been up to and if you're interested in reviewing a ground within the London area for this blog then get in touch. Also keep the general correspondence coming, I enjoy answering your questions and offering advice if I can.

You can contact TLFG through the comments section below or via Facebook, Twitter or even by good old email.

There are almost 70 matches in the London area this week, with over 40 on NLD itself so there's every opportunity to take part.

As always, check with clubs before you travel just in case a game has been called off or venue has been changed. Also, please let me know if anything is wrong or missing.


From the ridiculous to the sublime - what you could witness at Harrow or any other non-league ground on Saturday

 Details on all of this week's games can be found in the following match map. If you've never used it before, please note that when there is more than one match at a specific ground you'll only be able to see individual match pins if you zoom right in. If you don't, the pins obscure each other and you might miss them. To avoid this, you can also scroll down the list of games on the left side of the map page to make sure you get all the information.

Also if you're unfamiliar with the English league structure I indicate the level at which an individual league sits in the national 'pyramid' with the Premier League at the top (Level 1) and various minor leagues at the bottom (Level 10). Typically a top level game will see crowds of anywhere between 20,000-60,000. These figures will gradually decline as you go down the leagues until you get to Levels 8-10 where attendances of 150 or less are most common.

MATCH MAP
Yellow pin - Monday fixtures
Green pin - Tuesday fixtures
Turquoise pin - Wednesday fixtures
Purple pin - Thursday fixtures
Magenta pin - Friday fixtures
Blue pin - Saturday fixtures


View London match map 2-8 September 2013 in a larger map


Next up is a list of clubs, in alphabetical order, where I know of special deals or events that are being offered on Non-League Day. This is not an exhaustive compilation as I know some clubs have plans but have yet to declare them so I will add more as the week goes along, make sure you check back for updates.

ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX)
The Tangerines are a great little club located just down the road from Heathrow airport. For the second year running they're offering a really generous deal to get you to come and spend an afternoon with them. On Saturday they entertain fellow west Londoners North Greenford United in a Southern League match and they're running an excellent 'Pay What You Want' scheme. The going rate for adults is £8 so bear this in mind when making your contribution. DEAL INFO

BARKINGSIDE
Over in east London there's some value to be had at Oakside where you and a friend can go together and get a two-person ticket for £12, saving you £4, to watch them play Dereham Town in the Isthmian League Division 1 North. Also, all season-ticket holders at 'any London Football League club' get in for a fiver. I presume this includes Premier League teams too but check with the club in advance just to be on the safe side. The other great thing about Barkingside is that they have a Tube station by the same name right next to the ground so it's really easy to get to. DEAL INFO

BEDFONT & FELTHAM
At the other end of Heathrow's runway to Ashford, we have these guys. Formed only recently, B&F are contesting their first season of competitive football and they've made plenty of effort to make sure their local community know they exist over the summer. They have also fully embraced NLD and announced earlier today that it will be only £1 for adults and concessions with accompanied U16s going for free. Worcester Park are the visitors in this Combined Counties League Division One match. DEAL INFO

CHERTSEY TOWN
It will be an afternoon of both celebration and mourning at Alwyns Lane on Saturday. While the club will be getting into the spirit of NLD, they'll also be paying their respects to former U19 player John Beaumont who died recently. There will be a minute's applause before the Southern League game against Barton Rovers and youngsters (anyone under 19) are being especially encouraged to come along with admission reduced to just £1. Adults who hold season-tickets for any other club will also get in for only £4. There will also be a collection held for the charity set up in Mr Beaumont's name. DEAL INFO

CRAY WANDERERS
One great reason to watch Cray on NLD is simply for the reason that they are the oldest club in London being formed as they were in 1860. Aside from that they are also using their Isthmian League match against Carshalton Athletic to raise funds for the 'Breast Cancer Campaign' with a percentage of gate receipts going to the charity. To help boost attendance, season-ticket holders from any club at any level will get in for half-price (£5) while a paying adult can bring up to four children in for free. The Wands currently groundshare at Bromley. DEAL INFO

ERITH TOWN
This Southern Counties East League side have recently moved in with Cray Valley PM a few miles from their traditional home patch. Starting on NLD, the Dockers have decided to cut their admission charges from £8 to £6 for the rest of the season to try and gain new supporters in the area. Erith are one of the favourites for the title this season and have started well - Corinthian are their opponents. CLUB INFO

FISHER
In the same league we have the Fish who have been huge supporters of NLD since it began. In a former life they were known as Fisher Athletic and were one of the best clubs outside the Football League but their fortunes faded and they were wound up in 2009. Fisher were born soon after and are run by a supporters' trust. On Saturday Woodstock Sports come to Champion Hill and the club are offering half-price admission (£3.50 adults) to all Premier League and Football League season-ticket holders and members plus members of any other supporters' trust teamDEAL INFO

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH
The unofficial showpiece game of NLD in possibly the whole south of England is taking place at the Beveree. Isthmian Premier club Hampton are regularly cited by groundhoppers as having one of the nicest grounds around - located in a fairly swish part of south-west London close to the Thames and not far from Henry VIII's famous Hampton Court Palace. On Saturday they welcome Maidstone United who are the giants of the division having been a Football League team a couple of decades ago. Like Fisher, they too fell on hard times and have been climbing the leagues again in recent years. Despite their relatively lowly league status they regularly get four-figure attendances so are expected to bring a few to this one. Adding to the occasion will be the presence of anti-discrimination charity 'Kick It Out' who have been working closely with NLD for a couple of years now. To top it all there are deals on admission too. All U16s get in for free while season-ticket holders at other clubs get in for half price (£5). DEAL INFO

HARROW BOROUGH
At long last my beloved Harrow are at home on Non-League Day and they've landed a fairly plum fixture against Dulwich Hamlet. Boro have been fighting relegation for about all but two or three years of the 25 I've been following them but they have always somehow avoided the drop. This season has started in similar vein but they got a precious win at Leiston on Saturday to raise their spirits. Dulwich have been in the doldrums for almost as long but over the last two or three years they've got stronger and stronger and finally won promotion back to the Isthmian Premier last season and are among the early pacesetters this term. Dealswise, Harrow are offering half-price admission (£5) to Premier and Football League season-ticket holders and members. It's also £1 for unaccompanied U16s and free for those who attend with a paying adult. Unless something dramatic happens, it's where I'm likely to spend my NLD. DEAL INFO

KINGSTONIAN
Another incredibly tempting game is taking place at Kingsmeadow where the K's, current Isthmian League leaders, welcome Grays Athletic who are sixth at the time of writing. If that fact alone isn't enough to tempt you then the fine ground and discounted admission could. There's a half price (£5) for season-ticket holders deal in place here too but it's open to fans of any team from any sport at any level! It's also free for U16s. DEAL INFO


NORTHWOOD 
There are discounts for pro club fans too at Chestnut Avenue for this Southern League game against AFC Hayes. Not only do season-ticket holders get in for half-price (£4) but so does anyone in possession of a ticket stub for a Premier League or Championship game. It's also completely free for U16s, students and armed forces personnel. Bargainous! Sitting very much in Watford's catchment area I hope a few Hornets fans will make the trip. CLUB INFO

SEVEN ACRE & SIDCUP
It's more about the event than the deals with this Kent Invicta League club who have their U12s kicking off proceedings with a game at midday, followed by a bit of coaching and then the main match against Lewisham Borough at 3pm. The club have also invited some local pensioners groups and charities along too. Admission is only £4 so represents fine value as well. CLUB INFO

THAMESMEAD TOWN
Another Isthmian Premier club to be getting in on the act are Thamesmead Town. The Mead enjoyed a fantastic run towards the end of last season to earn them promotion via the play-offs. Despite their success they are strikingly under supported and could do with a few extra fans through the gate on Saturday when they play Wingate & Finchley. Premier League and Championship season-ticket holders will be admitted for the price of a programme - just £2! Living very much in the shadow of Charlton Athletic, their fans could find this a particularly convenient option. DEAL INFO

UXBRIDGE
Back on the west side of town, Southern League Division 1 Central side Uxbridge entertain newly promoted Egham Town. To get as many people in as possible, they're offering free entry to all Football League season-ticket holders. Again I presume this includes Premier League sides too but check with the club to make sure. DEAL INFO

WELLING UNITED
The most senior non-league club in action on NLD in the capital are Welling who play Kidderminster Harriers in this Conference Premier match. They have all kinds of deals on the go and largely depend on what time you turn up. Before 2pm all adults get in for £10, while after that it rises to £15. The '2pm price' remains in place until kick-off for all Premier and Football League season-ticket holders, plus armed forces and emergency services personnel. There is also a family ticket for £25 and lower prices for concessions, students and U12s. DEAL INFO

WHYTELEAFE
In the deep south of TLFG's catchment area (yes, even further down than Croydon), there's a deal to be had at The Leafe's fine Church Road ground. Greenwich Borough are in town for a Southern Counties East League game and, like Uxbridge, it's free for all 'League Club' season-ticket holders. There's even a special offer for Crystal Palace fans for their following game too. DEAL INFO

PLEASE NOTE - there are many other teams playing at home on Non-League Day who are competing in the FA Vase. Rules in this competition make it very hard for clubs to offer discounts on admission so please don't think that your local club isn't making an effort as they may be constrained in what they can do. It is also worth noting that lots of clubs who play in the FA Vase charge £5 or less to get in anyway whoever you are so make sure you have a good look through the match map before you make your final decision. If you're not a season-ticket holder or member at another club and don't qualify for many of the discounts above, such a match could be your best option.

Well I think that's it, for now. I'm pretty confident one or two more clubs will come forward with something before Saturday so do check back as I said before. 

Finally, please do try and get to a non-league game this Saturday. Every individual who attends matches at this level makes a real difference and our game needs to be strong from top to bottom to survive and thrive. Thanks.

If you have any questions or want advice about watching football in London, you can contact TLFG using the comments section below or via FacebookTwitter or email.